The Central Bank issued a commemorative coin dedicated to the cartoon “The Hedgehog in the Fog.” Photo: t.me/centrobank_rossii
You probably also have a couple of Soviet rubles with Grandpa Lenin lying around your house. And somewhere in the piggy bank there will be a dozen coins with Russian cities. But it is too early to confer the proud title of numismatist on him. Because your collection is childish jokes. Over the past 30 years, the Central Bank of Russia alone has issued almost 2,000 commemorative coins for various occasions. And recently new coins appeared – “Hedgehog in the Fog”.
50 YEARS OF CARTOONS
They are dedicated, as you may have guessed, to the famous cartoon; After all, next year the brainchild of director Yuri Norshtein will turn 50 years old. There are three types of stamped coins in total.
– Collectible coin with a face value of 3 rubles. Made in silver. The weight of the precious metal is 31.1 grams, standard 925. Diameter – 39 mm. Circulation – 7 thousand pieces.
– Commemorative coin of 25 rubles face value. Diameter 27 mm. Made of copper-nickel alloy with color coating. Circulation – 150 thousand pieces.
– Commemorative coin of 25 rubles face value. Diameter 27 mm. Made of steel with nickel plating. Circulation – 850 thousand pieces.
As experts say, collectors have been waiting for the appearance of these coins for a long time. Therefore, there is practically no possibility of buying it in a bank or receiving change at the cash register. These coins are immediately purchased by fanatical collectors and speculators.
WHAT ARE THE COINS?
All issued coins can be divided into three types.
1. Normal coins. They are produced in millions of copies. This is what’s in our wallets and piggy banks.
2. Investment currencies. They are made of precious metals and usually do not have elaborate artistic designs. They are produced in large quantities using simple coining technology. Destined, respectively, for investment. They usually indicate their weight or the weight of the precious metal they contain, as well as their face value. Although the real value does not usually correspond to the nominal value.
3. Collectible (or commemorative) coins. They are produced from both precious and ordinary metals. First of all, these moments have collector’s value and are produced in limited editions. Its cost depends on several factors. For the most part, due to rarity and value in the eyes of numismatists.
For example, the Central Bank has entire thematic collections, in particular a series of coins dedicated to Russian and Soviet animation. In previous years, “Well, wait a minute!” coins were issued. and “Umka”, as well as modern ones: “Smeshariki”, “Barboskiny” and “Masha and the Bear”. In addition to cartoons, prominent personalities, architectural monuments, professions, animals, space, sports clubs, etc. are minted. In general, collect what your heart desires.
ARTIFICIAL DEFICIT
Every year, the Central Bank issues around 50 coins for various reasons. The stamping plan is approved three years in advance. At the same time, there are not many shiny coins. Therefore, releases like “Hedgehog” are in high demand.
– A lot of bureaucracy is created: cities, anniversaries. But there are some creative things that work. Last year, for example, a coin dedicated to Viktor Tsoi was launched. Small edition – 3000 pieces. As a result, speculators took them for 8.5 thousand rubles and resold them for 30 thousand, says Alexey Vyazovsky, vice president of the Zolotaya Plata investment company.
With “Hedgehog in the Fog” the Central Bank increased the circulation to 7 thousand (for one silver coin). But this is not enough. Demand far exceeds supply.
– I still don’t understand this. They create artificial excitement and scarcity out of nothing. Is there really not enough money in the country? If demand is high and people come and ask, mint more. But in the end, only speculators benefit from this, Alexey Vyazovsky is surprised.
According to him, next year the Central Bank plans to issue a coin dedicated to the cartoon “Golden Antelope.” Chances are there will be a lot of excitement around this as well.
WHY IS IT NECESSARY?
On the one hand, there is a tradition: perpetuating memorable dates and events on coins. After all, a coin can be preserved for centuries. On the other hand, this is part of government policy.
“In this way we show that we have something to be proud of in our culture, in our history. There are about a hundred mints in the world that mint coins. Harry Potter, the Paris Olympics… Mention any occasion: a coin has already been issued on this topic. And this is also a kind of advertising for the country,” explains Alexey Vyazovsky.
The commemorative coin market is open. Numismatists from all over the world look for interesting specimens. They collect what interests them most. And they create their own collections.
– For example, I have Japanese coins with samurai. And recently I bought more coins with geishas to accompany them, so that the samurai would not get bored,” laughs Alexey Vyazovsky.
ASK FROM THE EDGE
Is it possible to make money with this?
Most collectors do not collect coins to resell. It’s more like a hobby. And selling commemorative coins is not that easy.
– Normally I recommend allocating some feasible amount. And once a year or once a quarter, buy some coin for this amount. According to your interests. And to invest and make profits, you need to understand this. Follow the trends and, most importantly, have access to the original print run at the initial cost, explains Alexey Vyazovsky.
At the same time, when buying second-hand, there is a risk of getting a fake. Therefore, it is better to buy them in trusted places: in banks, in special stores for numismatists. Otherwise, you will pay several thousand rubles and get a cheap round piece, the price of which is a couple of tens of rubles. Not memorable.
BY THE WAY
Will that currency be accepted in the store?
Commemorative coins are considered the same means of payment as other banknotes. But they will only accept such currency (even if it is gold or silver) at its face value. And it usually does not exceed 25 rubles. Of course, you can pay at the checkout with that coin, but no one in their right mind and with good eyesight, of course, would do that. For example, now a copper-nickel coin “Smesharikov” with a face value of 25 rubles is sold for 700-900 rubles, a silver coin of the same series with a face value of three rubles is sold for 19 thousand rubles. “Masha and the Bear” is even more expensive – 2100 and 20 thousand rubles, respectively.
I LIKE THEM
The most unusual coins in the world.
There are many rare products. Each mint does everything possible to attract the attention of numismatists. There are triangular and square coins, shaped like guitars and animals, with meteorites and holy water inside. So our “Hedgehog in the Fog” and even the one-kilogram gold coin for Pushkin’s anniversary are childish jokes compared to the creativity that sometimes appears in the most unexpected places.
“Weight matters”
Australian bankers surprised everyone and minted the heaviest coin in the world – the “Australian Golden Kangaroo”. It weighs a ton! It consists of gold of the highest level. The diameter of the coin is 80 cm and the thickness is 12 cm. The circulation is one copy. The estimated value is 45 million dollars, but it is unlikely that anyone will sell this coin.
“Unidentified flying coin”
The Polish Mint surprised collectors this year with a flying coin. It is made with seven ounces of silver (just over 200 grams). But at the same time it can… fly. The coin looks like a UFO. It floats in the air, spins and glows in the dark. And all thanks to the electromagnetic field that is formed between the motor integrated into the coin itself and the base. The denomination of the currency is 1,766 Cameroonian francs (approximately 300 rubles). There is only one prototype. The coin has not yet gone on sale.
“Puzzle Coin”
Unusual coins are often issued under the flags of poor African countries. This is a small income for them. For example, a puzzle coin was issued for Liberia. This is a silver design. In the center is a 40 dollar coin and next to it are 12 five dollar coins with images of the apostles. The product weighs 1 kg and is made of silver. It costs about 100 thousand rubles in terms of our money.
